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Deirdre Butler: Learn about municipal energy from other municipalities

Posted:
07/17/2013 01:00:00 AM MDT

Xcel is saying that Boulder can't handle its own power supply. They're saying that only a giant corporation like them can address power production, delivery and maintenance.

This is ridiculous and incorrect. I live in Lyons, which handles its own power supply. Our electricity is always dependable. We've never had a serious problem, and we've endured heavy snow and tremendous winds in the time we've lived here. The minor problems we've had were taken care of quickly and efficiently. And we pay no more for our power than Boulderites do.

If the town of Lyons did have a rare emergency that caused a major power outage, it would do what Xcel does now: call for help from neighboring communities, and neighboring communities would help, in part because that's what neighbors do for each other, but also because Boulder County communities have agreements that they will help each other in emergencies.

Dozens of Colorado towns and cities handle their own power production and distribution. Boulder can do it too. If Boulder needs any help learning how, they can come on up to Lyons or Longmont and do a power tutorial with us.

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